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Power Up: Using Scientific Notation
 
Problems that involve calculations using very large or very small numbers can escalate into "crises" when the appropriate tools and techniques for solving them are not available. Scientific notation provides an effective means for handling numbers that might otherwise be considered "unwieldy" in problem solving. This lesson will utilize VOD technology to access instructional media that addresses scientific notation in less than 3 minutes!
Subject Matter
- Students will be able to convert numbers expressed in decimal format
to scientific notation (or scientific notation to decimal format)
- Students will be able to recognize the utility in changing number
formats for calculation and analysis
- Students will develop basic skills for use of number sense functions
on scientific calculators
Standards
National http://standards.nctm.org/document/chapter6/numb.htm
In grades 6-8, students should understand numbers, ways of representing
numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems
- Compare and order fractions, decimals, and percents efficiently and
find their approximate locations on a number line;
- Develop an understanding of large numbers and recognize and appropriately
use exponential, scientific, and calculator notation
State http://www.nysatl.nysed.gov/mathstand.html
Standard 3: Mathematics
Students will understand mathematics and become mathematically confident
by communicating and reasoning mathematically, by applying mathematics in
real-world settings, and by solving problems through the integrated study
of number systems, geometry, algebra, data analysis, probability, and trigonometry.
- Understand and use rational and irrational numbers
- Use addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and exponentiation
with real numbers and algebraic expressions
- Choose appropriate representations to facilitate the solving of a
problem
GED Connection: Mathematics (2001) Cathy Fillmore Hoyt, PBS LiteracyLink,
pages 259, 267, 268
Companion workbook to PBS programming
Media Components
Zany World of Basic Math, The Module 6: Working with Decimals; segment 6,
Scientific Notation (Video on Demand Web-based streaming/download)
Converting fractions to decimals
http://www.learningwave.com/lwonline/decimal13/basics/
convert.html
Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
http://www.ieer.org/clssroom/scinote.html
Widener University: Scientific notation / Decimal notation conversion drills
http://science.widener.edu/svb/tutorial/scinotcsn7.html
AAA Math: Scientific notation game (timed)
http://www.aaamath.com/dec71i-dec2sci.html
Online scientific calculator
http://www.matheducation.com/scientificcalu.htm
Handouts
Prep for Teachers
- Bookmark sites
- Make copies of handouts, 1 per student
- Register for Video on Demand access
- Download media player plug-in
- Download Video on Demand segment for inclusion in media playlist
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